RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
24 August 2009 
 (09-3994) 
Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries 
Fifty-Third Session  
 
 
 
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 12 JUNE 2009 
 
Chairperson:  Ambassador Jean Feyder (Luxembourg) 
  
A.
 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA .........................................................................................................1  
B. WTO WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 
(WT/COMTD /LDC/11) ...................................................................................................................1  
(I) Trade-Related Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building Initiatives for Least-
Developed Countries: ........................................................................................................... ......2  
- Implementation of the Enhanced Integr ated Framework (EIF):  Report by the 
Executive Director of the EIF Executive Secretariat, JOB(09)/52 ...............................................2  
- Overview of Progress in the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) – 
Report by the STDF Secretariat, WT/COMTD/LDC/W/45 ............................................................7  
(II) Market Access for Leas t-Developed Countries.........................................................................11  
- Market Access Issues for Least-Developed Countries in the Area of Trade in 
Services:  Presentation by the International Trade Centre (ITC).............................................11  
C. OTHER BUSINESS .......................................................................................................................14  
  
A. 
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  
1. The Chairman  requested Members to consider the draft agenda contained in document 
WTO/AIR/3375.  He informed Members that under "Oth er Business", three items would be taken up.  
First, he would provide the Sub-Committee with a brief report on the "Dialogue with acceding LDCs" 
held on 28 May 2009.  Second, he would give th e floor to the LDC Coordinator concerning LDCs' 
request to pursue work relating to the ongoing food crisis .  In this regard, he had received a letter from 
the LDC Coordinator; copies of which were made available in the meeting room.  Third, the 
representative of the WTO Secretariat would provide a report on the consultations it had had with the 
LDCs regarding the WTO's biennial technical assistance Plan (2010-2011). 
2. The Sub-Committee  adopted the draft agenda contained in WTO/AIR/3375. 
B. WTO WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (WT/COMTD /LDC/11) 
3. The Chairman  said that he would take up two elements of the WTO Work Programme for the 
LDCs:  (i) trade-related technical assistance  and capacity-building initiatives for LDCs;  and 
(ii) market access for LDCs.   WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
Page 2  
 
  (I) Trade-Related Technical Assistance and C apacity-Building Initiatives for Least-Developed 
Countries: 
- Implementation of the Enhanced Integrated  Framework (EIF):  Report by the Executive 
Director of the EIF Executive Secretariat, JOB(09)/52 
4. The Chairman
 said that work was ongoing in order to consolidate the operationalization of the 
EIF.  The EIF Secretariat as well as the EIF Trust Fund Manager had become fully operational.  The 
EIF interim Board had been meeting regularly to fi nalize a few remaining elements that formed part 
of the EIF.  In order to facilitate discussion, the EIF Secretariat had prepared a brief note on this item 
which had been circulated as JOB(09)/52.  He inv ited the Executive Director of the EIF Secretariat 
(Ms. Dorothy Tembo) to take the floor.  He pointed out that this was her first occasion to report to the 
Sub-Committee on the implementation of the EIF, since assuming office in October 2008. 
5. The Executive Director of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Secretariat  thanked the 
Chairman and the Sub-Committee for affording the EIF Secretariat an opportunity to provide an update on the operationalization of the EIF.  The report contained in JOB(09)/52 outlined the progress 
made in the EIF since the last report submitted by the Chairman of the EIF interim Board to the 
Sub-Committee on 22 October 2008.  She said that a few developments had taken place since the 
document had been circulated, which she would point out later in her intervention.  The EIF interim 
Board had continued to make considerable progr ess towards making the EIF fully operational.  She 
then proceeded to make a detailed report on the EIF according to the format in which the document 
had been prepared.   
6. With respect to the Executive Secretariat, she said that following the recruitment of the 
Executive Director in October 2008, the EIF Secretar iat had become operational.  The staffing of the 
Secretariat consisted of the Executive Director, two c oordinators and one support  staff.  The work of 
the Secretariat had been increasing continually.  In order to meet the increasing demand of work, the recruitment of an additional coordinator was underw ay.  The advertisement of that post would be 
issued soon.  The Secretariat was also in the pro cess of recruiting an expert to deal with the EIF 
Monitoring and Evaluation.  The EIF interim Boar d had also indicated its willingness to explore any 
other additional staffing provisions as an interim m easure;  in this regard, two consultants had been 
engaged on a short-term basis to work with the LDCs , in particular to finalize their Tier 1 proposals.  
Some long-term measures had also been contemplated.  
7. Regarding the EIF Trust Fund , she said that the United Nations Office for Project Services 
(UNOPS) had been appointed as the Trust Fund Mana ger, making the EIF Trust Fund functional.  It 
had three regional offices which were working in ta ndem with the EIF Secretariat.  Twelve donors, 
namely: Belgium, Estonia, the European Commission , Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, 
Korea, Luxembourg, Norway and the United Kingdom  had honoured their pledges which they had 
made during the Stockholm Pledging Conference held in September 2007.  In addition, UNDP had transferred the balance of the co-mingled funds, which amounted to US$23.5 million, from the old IF 
Trust Fund to the UNOPS.  It represented contribu tions from Denmark, Finland, Japan and Korea.  
The EIF Trust Fund, in total, stood at US$64.5 millio n.  In addition, she was pleased to announce that 
UNOPS had received an amount of approximately EUR 3 million from Spain as a contribution to the EIF.  She further clarified that all the resource s that had been committed prior to the coming into 
effect of the EIF, would continue under the mana gement of the old Trust Fund Manager UNDP.  In 
this respect, UNDP would continue to provide re gular reports to the EIF interim Board.   
8. On Tier 1 project implementation, she said that in February 2009, the EIF interim Board had 
considered the first two Tier 1 project proposals from Malawi and Yemen.  These projects were approved in principle at that time.  However, the EIF interim Board had cons idered it appropriate to 
provide additional operational guidelines to assist LD Cs in contextualizing their proposals and to  WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
 Page 3 
 
 
  ensure that the intended objectives were achieved.  The new Tier 1 guidelines were circulated to all 
beneficiary countries in April 2009.  She said that a number of Tier 1 proposals, which had been prepared according to the new guidelines, were in their final stages of approval.  The EIF interim 
Board was expected to consider the first two pr oposals from Malawi and Yemen before the end of 
June 2009, with a view to ensuring that actual dis bursement could take place by early July 2009.  In 
addition, the following countries were at various stages of their preparation of Tier 1 proposals:  
Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Como ros, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of the 
Congo, The Gambia, Guinea, Lao PDR, Liberia, Ma dagascar, Mali, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, 
Solomon Islands, Sudan, Timor Leste, Uganda an d Vanuatu.  The proposals from those had been 
formally communicated to the Executive Secretar iat.  In addition, other proposals were under 
preparation.  In this regard, she hoped that more than 30 Tier 1 proposals would be under the 
consideration of the EIF Secretariat by the end of th e year.  To ensure efficiency in the processing of 
Tier 1 proposals, which were considered fundamental  to the progress of EIF at the national level, the 
EIF interim Board had taken a decision that followi ng the first two Tier 1 project proposals, the next 
ones would be approved electronically if no objecti ons were received within 15 working days from 
the date of circulation.  This would help ensure qui ck and efficient implementation of Tier 1 projects.  
Additionally, the EIF interim Board was currently reviewing the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study 
(DTIS) guidelines to better address the needs of LD Cs.  Once approved, these guidelines would be the 
basis for the preparation of the DTISs and the DT IS updates to be undertaken by the beneficiary 
countries with Tier 1 support.  
9. With regard to Tier 2 project implementation, she said that Tier 2 project proposals formed 
the key of the substance of projects in the EIF process.  A number of beneficiaries had indicated their 
desire to move ahead with Tier 2 proposals.  Howe ver, the EIF interim Board was yet to finalize the 
guidelines for Tier 2 projects.  She hoped that t hose guidelines would be finalized soon to facilitate 
the implementation of Tier 2 projects.   
10. On the Monitoring & Evaluation Framework , she said that as part of the review of the EIF, 
one of the key elements was the monitoring and ev aluation aspect of the EIF process with a view to 
promoting accountability, measuring performance and addressing any challenges that might come up 
in the implementation of the programme.  The mo nitoring and evaluation work had been initiated 
through a study that had been supported by the Government of Norway.  The EIF interim Board had approved, in principle, the EIF's Monitoring and Evaluation Framework at an  open-ended meeting on 
29 April 2009.  This framework would be finali zed soon taking into account the comments received 
from all stakeholders.  
11. With respect to Partnership Agreements, she said that as provided in the EIF guidelines, any 
agency wishing to partner with an LDC in the im plementation of projects within the EIF framework 
had to conclude a Partnership Agreement with the EIF Trust Fund Manager.  These Partnership 
Agreements were yet to be conc luded with all the implementing ag encies.  She informed Members 
that the Agreements with the ITC and UNCTAD awaited signature, whilst consultations were ongoing 
with the UNDP.  On a pilot basis, the World Bank ha d been authorized to utilize its External Funding 
Outputs (EFO) vehicle to undertake three DTISs fo r Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo 
and Togo.  The Board would need to make a decision as to whether the World Bank could continue to utilize this format or if it would have to follow the path of the Partnership Ag reements.  Consultations 
were ongoing in this respect as well.  She was pl eased to inform Members that UNIDO was formally 
approved as an implementing agency of the EIF, and was granted Observer status at the EIF Board at 
the meeting of the EIF interim Board held on 14  May 2009.  The Partnership Agreement would be 
signed by UNIDO on 24 June 2009 in Vienna.   
12.
 She said that the EIF interim Board had deci ded to hold a Global Workshop for EIF Focal 
Points from 8 to 10 July 2009, back-to-back w ith the Second Global Review of Aid for Trade 
scheduled for 6 to 7 July 2009.  The Workshop woul d seek to ensure that all participants obtained a WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
Page 4  
 
  clear understanding of how the EIF worked in pr actice, what the road map was for in-country 
implementation and which tools to apply to move th e countries' EIF agenda forward.  It would also 
highlight the linkages of EIF with Aid for Trade.  She informed Members that more than 30 LDCs 
had confirmed the participation of their Focal Points at the Workshop.  In addition, other partners in 
the EIF would take part in the Workshop.  Sh e was happy to announce that the EIF family was 
growing.  The EIF Secretariat had received a co mmunication from the Government of Bangladesh on 
26 May 2009 to join the EIF.  Bangladesh had been part of the old IF, launched in 1997.  She hoped that Bhutan would also join the EIF soon.  In this regard, the EIF Secretariat had been holding 
discussions with the Government of Bhutan.  She th en informed Members that the EIF interim Board 
was addressing the treatment of the EIF beneficiaries graduating from the LDC status.  There was a 
recognition that some interim measure s would need to be put in place  for graduating LDCs.   She 
would report to the Sub-Committee as soon as a deci sion was taken in this respect.  She invited 
Members' attention to the Annex of the document JOB(09)/52, summarizing the status of LDCs at 
different stages of their EIF process. 
13. The representative of Bangladesh
 informed Members that his Government had applied to join 
the EIF.  He requested the EIF Secretariat to cons ider organizing an EIF event in Bangladesh to build 
local capacity and enhance ownership in the EIF process.  He took the opportunity to thank UNOPS 
for providing financial assistance to enable the pa rticipation of EIF Focal Points at the EIF Focal 
Points Global Workshop to be held in Geneva in  July 2009, back-to-back with the Second Global 
Review of Aid for Trade.  He also thanked UNO PS for its briefing to the LDCs' Consultative Group 
on 10 June 2009.  He hoped that such briefings wo uld be organized on a regular basis.  Thanking the 
EIF Secretariat for its document contained in JOB(09)/52, he sought a clarification as to why the 
name of his country did not appear in the document.   
14. Bangladesh had had some experience with the ol d IF, which had been launched in 1997.  His 
Government had decided to join the EIF with th e expectation of addressing the trade-capacity needs 
of his country, in particular those relating to suppl y-side limitations.  Enhanced trade capacity would 
help them take advantage of trade openings and to be tter integrate into the multilateral trading system.  
He said that as per the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration of 2005, the EIF was scheduled to come into force no later than 31 December 2006.  That d eadline had not been met.  He noted the efforts 
being made by the development partners and the EI F agencies to move forward the implementation of 
the EIF.  In this respect, he wished to put on r ecord a special appreciation for Ambassador Maruping 
(Lesotho), who in his capacity as the Chairman of the EIF interim Board, had been making untiring 
efforts to make the EIF fully operational.  He noted that the Trust Fund Manager (TFM) and the 
Executive Director of the EIF Secretariat had been appointed.  Tier 1 guidelines had been finalized .  
The revised template for the DTIS, as well as the M onitoring and Evaluation Framework were at the 
final stages of their adoption.  He called upon a ll agencies to finalize their respective Partnership 
Agreements with the TFM.  He looked forward to th e formal launching of the EIF as soon as possible.  
He hoped that the ongoing financial crisis would not cast any shadow on donors' commitments with 
regard to the EIF. 
15. He went on to say that the Brussels Programme  of Action (BPOA) adopted by the UN in 2001 
contained a number of references to the IF to address  the supply-side limitations in the LDCs and to 
beneficially integrate them into the global economy.  In this regard, he drew Members' attention to 
commitment 5 of the BPOA, entitled "Enhancing the role of trade in development".  The Doha 
Declaration reaffirmed the commitments undertak en by the international community through the 
BPOA, and agreed that the WTO should take into account, in designing its work programme for the 
LDCs, the trade-related elements of the BPOA within its area of competence.   
16. He noted that the UN Office of the High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS 
(UN-OHRLLS) had launched a preparatory pro cess to prepare for the Fourth United Nations 
Conference on LDCs, which would be held in 2011.  In this regard, an inter-agency meeting was held  WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
 Page 5 
 
 
  in New York on 30 March 2009.  Twenty-eight UN and other international organizations including 
ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNIDO and the World Bank had take n part in that meeting.  He said that he 
would like the WTO to contribute to such meetings in  future.  He requested that the Sub-Committee at 
its next meeting consider an item, which c ould be entitled as:  "Follow-up to major global 
conferences", in pursuance of paragraph 21(i) of the WTO Work Programme for the LDCs.  Under 
that item, Members would be invited to report on the measures that they had taken in fulfilling the 
trade-related commitments of BPOA.   
17. The Chairman  said that the EIF Secretariat had informed him that the communication from 
Bangladesh applying to join the EIF had been received after the document JOB(09)/52 had been 
issued.  That was why there was no refere nce to Bangladesh in that document.   
18. The representative of the European Communities  welcomed the presentation made by the 
Executive Director.  She also welcomed the progress made in the operationalization of the EIF, and looked forward to the formal launching of the EIF as soon as possible.  The Eu ropean Union (EU) had 
been a substantial contributor to the EIF;  apar t from financial contributions, the EU was actively 
involved with the implementation of the EIF on th e ground.  She reiterated that her delegation would 
play an active role in the forthcoming Global Workshop for EIF Focal Points to be held in July 2009.  
She expressed support to the work of the Executive Director of the EIF Secretariat.  She looked 
forward to hearing regular reports on developments in the EIF.   
19. The representative of Japan
 appreciated the efforts of the Executive Secretariat as well as the 
EIF interim Board towards early transition of the IF  into EIF.  He noted the present status of the 
operationalization of the EIF.  He also noted that the current status of EIF Trust Fund stood at 
US$65 million.  In this regard, he underlined the importance of detaile d financial reporting for 
transparency and accountability of the EIF.  He r ecognized that it was difficult for an organization 
which was in a period of transition to prepare financ ial statements.  In this context, his delegation 
would be interested to know as to when a financial report, even an interim one, would be available for 
contributors to the EIF.   
20. The representative of Mexico  noted that the EIF process had received an impetus with the 
appointment of the Executive Director.  She welcomed the holding of the Global Workshop for EIF Focal Points from 8 to 10 July 2009, which was be ing organized back-to-back with the Second Global 
Review of Aid for Trade.  Aid for Trade was impor tant for developing countries.  Her delegation had 
one question concerning Partnership Agreements, being nego tiated with different EIF agencies.  In 
this regard, she pointed out that in the past the agencies entrusted with the preparation of DTISs or 
implementation of projects stemming from DTISs were chosen or assigned on an ad hoc basis, 
depending on the availability of the agencies.  Th e World Bank had taken the lead in drawing up the 
DTISs, while UNDP had also carried out a number of  DTISs.  One of the objectives of the EIF was to 
enhance coordination in the delivery of technical cooperation.  Since the mandates and competencies 
of implementing agencies were different, she wished to know how the EIF would work out division of 
labour and how it would determine the weightage to different agencies in the implementation of the 
EIF.  She wondered whether there would be a mechanism for greater coordination among the 
implementing agencies which was one of the weak po ints of the original IF.  She welcomed UNIDO 
as an implementing agency of the EIF. 
21. The representative of Senegal
 said that there had been marked progress in the implementation 
of the EIF, since the establishment of the Executive  Secretariat.  It was important to set up this 
Secretariat to assist the LDCs in the EIF process.  He welcomed Bangladesh into the EIF family, and 
hoped that Bhutan would join soon.  He noted the marginal share of LDCs in world trade.  That was why assistance such as that provided through the EIF process was essential to help build trade 
capacity in the LDCs.  He thanked the development partners for their contributions to the EIF Trust 
Fund.  He requested them to continue to support th e EIF, since it was a tool for the LDCs to work WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
Page 6  
 
  together with the development partners.  His delegation welcomed the EIF Focal Points Global 
Workshop to be held in Geneva in July 2009, b ack-to-back with Second Global Review of Aid for 
Trade.  He hoped that these two events would discuss the synergies between the EIF and the 
Aid-for-Trade initiative, which could support LD C governments in formulating coherent trade 
capacity-building policies.   
22. The representative of Rwanda
 thanked the EIF Executive Secretariat for its active 
engagement with beneficiary countries, in particul ar in assisting the LDCs with the preparation of 
projects.  He thanked donors for their contributions  to the EIF Trust Fund and invited other Members 
to support the EIF process.  He believed that in ternational trade could have a positive impact on the 
economic growth and development in  LDCs.  This was testified by countries including LDCs that had 
been mainstreaming trade into national developmen t plans.  The ultimate goals of the multilateral 
trading system were to raise the incomes of peopl e and to reduce poverty in the developing countries, 
including LDCs.  He noted that the EIF facility was not providing large scale funding to its beneficiaries, but was acting as a bridge to tap aid for trade resources.  The EIF had been supporting the LDCs in elaborating bankable projects and main streaming trade into poverty reduction strategies.  
It was preparing the ground for donors' interventi on through larger Aid-for-Trade resources.  This 
approach of cooperation was what the LDCs were looking for under the multilateral trading system.  
Mainstreaming development in the multilateral trad ing system was not limited to providing LDCs 
with flexibility in implementing WTO rules and disc iplines;  it needed to ensure that all Members 
could develop and diversify their production and export base, overco me supply-side constraints and 
benefit from international trade.  He said that the EIF should remain on the agenda of the WTO as 
long as LDCs remained in the world.  He welcomed  UNIDO as one of the EIF implementing partners.  
23. The representative of Haiti
 was pleased to learn that UNIDO had become one of the 
implementing partners of the EIF.  He was also pleased to see UNIDO getting an observer status at the EIF Board meetings.  Currently, his Governme nt was working closely with the UNIDO with a 
view to enhancing its competitiveness in exports .  In this regard, the ITC, UNIDO and the 
World Bank were contributing to e nhance trade capacity in Haiti.  He  expressed appreciation to these 
agencies for their assistance in helping Haiti integrate better into the global economy.   
24. The representative of Lesotho
 welcomed Bangladesh into the EI F.  He noted that Bangladesh 
was part of the old IF, launched in 1997.  He also noted that Bhutan was close to joining the EIF.  He 
hoped that the remaining LDCs, which were only a handful, would join the EIF soon.  With the 
increased number of beneficiaries in the EIF family, and given the financial crisis – which was turning 
into a socio-economic one – he underlined the need for enhanced resources in the EIF Trust Fund.  He 
made an appeal to Members to enhance contributions to the EIF Trust Fund.   
25. The Executive Director of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Secretariat  appreciated 
the support expressed by Members to the EIF and to he rself.  She noted that the resources provided in 
the EIF Trust Fund would not fully meet the exp ectations of the beneficiary countries.  Other 
multilateral and bilateral channels would need to be exploited to fully address the kind of 
interventions identified in the DTIS Action Matrices.   She stressed that ownership and appropriate 
prioritization of projects at the country level were key to the progress of the EIF in the LDCs.  She echoed the calls made by the representatives of L esotho and Rwanda for enhanced resources for the 
EIF Trust Fund, especially to address trade-capacity needs of LDCs in a comprehensive way.  She 
called upon Members to work towards mobilization of  additional resources at the bilateral, regional 
and multilateral level.   
26. With regard to the question from Japan regard ing financial reporting of the programme, she 
said that it was the intention of the EIF interim Boar d to remain as transparent as possible.  In this 
regard, she clarified that financial contributions were being received by the EIF Trust Fund Manager, 
but activities under the EIF had not yet started.  Therefore, at this stage, the EIF Secretariat would not  WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
 Page 7 
 
 
  be able to make a detailed financial report;  what the EIF Secretariat had been reporting was 
disbursement made to facilitate the administrativ e activities of the Secretariat.  She informed 
Members that US$800,000 had been allocated for the World Bank to carry out DTISs for Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Togo.  With regard to the observation made by 
the representative of Mexico on the Partnership Agreements, she recalled that one of the 
recommendations of the Task Force on an Enhanced Integrated Framework established in 2006 was to 
reinforce the role of the benefici ary country in the EIF process and that they should determine which 
of the partner institutions would be suitable to address their individual needs.  Therefore, the 
determination of partner instituti ons in terms of implementing th e EIF activities was left to the 
beneficiary countries themselves. 
27. The Chairman
 thanked Members for their contributions .  He noted that efforts were being 
made to make the EIF fully operational, in partic ular to ensure high quality DTISs, better financing 
arrangements and improved means of assessing the performance of the EIF.  The EIF remained an important instrument for LDCs to address their trade-cap acity needs.  It was also an effective tool for 
the LDCs to access broader Aid-for-Trade funding.  He drew Members' attention to the Second 
Global Review of Aid for Trade scheduled for 6 and 7
 July 2009.  That review would be followed by 
the first EIF Global Workshop for Focal Points from 8 to 10 July 2009.  He encouraged Members to take active part in these events.  He propo sed that the Sub-Committee take note of the 
document JOB(09)/52, the report made by the Executive Director of the EIF Secretariat, as well as of 
the statements made. 
28. It was so agreed
. 
- Overview of Progress in the Standards and Tr ade Development Facility (STDF) – Report by 
the STDF Secretariat, WT/COMTD/LDC/W/45 
29. The Chairman  recalled that the Work Programme fo r the LDCs mandated the Sub-Committee 
to monitor capacity-building initiatives taken in fa vour of LDCs to promote information flows and 
coordination.  The STDF was a capacity-building initiative to help develo ping countries enhance 
capacity to comply with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures - so that they could 
gain from market access opportunities.  The Sub-Co mmittee had been considering this item for the 
past few years.  In order to facilitate discussion on this item, the Secretariat had prepared a brief note 
contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/45.  He invited the representative of the STDF 
Secretariat to introduce its document. 
30. The representative of the Standards and Trad e Development Facility (STDF) Secretariat  said 
that the Facility had two strategic aims:  first, to assist developing countries enhance their expertise 
and capacity to analyze and implement internati onal SPS standards, improving their human, animal 
and plant health situation;  and second, to act as a vehicle for coordination among technical 
cooperation providers, including mobilization of funds,  exchange of experience and dissemination of 
good practice in relation to the provision and recei pt of SPS-related technical cooperation.  The 
partners of the STDF were d ealing with relevant interna tional standards, guidelines and 
recommendations for food safety, animal and plant h ealth.  The STDF brought together the standards 
setting organizations designated by the WTO Ag reement on the application of SPS measures as 
reference parties in the area of food safety (t he CODEX Alimentarius Commission), plant health 
(International Plant Protection Convention (IPCC)) a nd animal health (the World Organization for 
Animal Health (OIE)).  The World Bank had been providing analytical backing with a development 
perspective.  The involvement of the WTO brought th e trade rules perspective to the STDF.  He added 
that the STDF was designed to benefit from the experience and skills that each of these partner 
organizations could bring to the Facility.  The firs t evaluation of the Facility had been done in 2005, 
following which a medium-term strategy for ST DF (2007-2011) was adopted with emphasis on 
coordination and information sharing.   WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
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  31. He said that the Note provided an overview of  STDF activities since the last report to the 
Sub-Committee meeting in October 2008, in relation to the four areas of STDF's Operating Plan for 
2008-2009:  (i) coordination;  (ii) information dissemination;  (iii) project development;  and 
(iv) project funding.  He then elaborated each of the se areas.  He said that in the area of coordination, 
the STDF had been collaborating with other institu tions, in particular in organizing thematic 
workshops.  In this regard, he informed Members of a number of events planned in the next few 
months.  The World Bank Development Research  Group and the STDF would organize an expert 
seminar in Washington, D.C. on 22 to 23 Septem ber 2009, to discuss new developments in climate 
change and trade, and the implications for SPS risk s.  The event would address key issues related to 
climate change, including its effects on the prolifer ation of diseases and pests.  Another workshop in 
Geneva was being organized by the STDF on 30 October 2009 concerning the use of economic 
analysis to inform SPS decision-making, based on rece nt studies undertaken by organizations such as 
OIE, the World Bank and OECD.  The workshop would discuss the cost/benefit ratio of investing in 
SPS systems in order to prevent animal diseases, plant pests and food safety problems as opposed to 
the costs of control.  The STDF would co-host with ECOWAS a donor workshop in Bamako, Mali, 
on the implementation of a regional action plan to  control fruit fly in West Africa, in close 
collaboration with the World Bank, the EC a nd the Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison 
Committee (COLEACP).  The workshop would aim at mobilizing resources to implement a coordinated response to control fruit fly in the regi on.  He said that research on the development of 
indicators was being carried out with a view to  examining the outcome and impact of the STDF 
projects.  
32. As part of its coordination ma ndate, the STDF had been taking pa rt in regional Aid-for-Trade 
consultations.  In 2007, STDF participated in a ll regional Aid-for-Trade reviews with back-to-back 
meetings to raise the profile of SPS-related a ssistance.  Collaboration with the EIF and the 
Aid-for-Trade initiative was also being strengthened.   Collaboration with the EIF was particularly 
strong since the STDF had consistently met its targ et of allocating more than 40 per cent of its 
resources to projects and project preparation grants  benefiting the LDCs.  The STDF was particularly 
engaged in providing bridge funding to assist LDCs  and other developing countries formulate project 
proposals based on needs expressed in DTIS Action Ma trices.  In terms of governance, it was worth 
noting that an LDC representative was part of the STDF Working Group's delibe rations.  In terms of 
possible future collaboration, it was envisaged that the STDF undertake joint missions to assist in the 
assessment of SPS needs in selected LDCs, to provi de support, where relevant, for DTIS updates and 
further its collaboration with the EIF process to as sist LDCs mobilize resources to address SPS needs 
through bilateral and multilateral f unding channels.  He further added that review of SPS needs was 
undertaken along with UNIDO for eight pilot LDCs, in the context of the UNIDO LDC Ministerial Conference held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in December 2008.   
33. He went on to say that information dissemi nation was another important function of the 
STDF.  The STDF Working Group was composed of technical-level repre sentatives of partners, 
donors and developing countries.  It included par ticipation from the secretariats of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission and the IPCC.  The Wo rking Group provided a forum for review and 
approval of applications for funding by STDF and ex change of experiences in relation to the provision 
and implementation of SPS-related technical cooperation.  As part of the information dissemination 
strategy, three annual newsletters  and briefings were prepared by the STDF Secretariat.  The 
development of a DVD was another activity undertaken by the STDF in 2009.  This was a short film 
aimed at raising awareness about the importance of  SPS issues, focussed on three selected countries 
facing particular SPS constraints.  In Belize, the film looked at the efforts being made to control the 
Medfly pest to improve papaya exports to the Unite d States;  in Benin, the film highlighted how the 
shrimp industry had been hit by SPS measures;  and in Thailand and Viet Nam, the film focussed on 
the effect of bird flu on public health and poultry trade.  Finally, the DVD also explained how 
Members had been using the SPS Committee to share information and to address their specific trade  WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
 Page 9 
 
 
  concerns.  The STDF Secretariat had been ma king presentations on its activities to the SPS 
Committee on a regular basis.   
34. Project development was one of the core deliverables of the STDF.  The project preparation 
grants (PPGs) had been helping developing countrie s to overcome constraints in the articulation of 
their needs and were a me chanism for ensuring synergy with othe r on-going initiatives, in particular 
the EIF and the Aid-for-Trade initiative.  PPGs we re also providing a basis for donor interventions 
and was a vehicle for the mobilization of funds.  He said that as of 31 May 2009, a total of 33 PPGs 
had been approved and funded by the STDF since its inception.  Twenty-one out of 33 of approved 
PPGs (or 64 per cent) had benefited the LDCs.  More than 60 per cent of the STDF budget was 
benefiting the LDCs.  He cited a few examples of PP Gs in LDCs:  (i) Action Plan to coordinate donor 
action plans in sesame in Burkina Faso;  (ii) post-harvest contamination in paprika and groundnut 
sectors in Malawi and Zambia;  (iii) improvement  of the competitiveness of the lychi and lobster 
sectors through accreditation of laboratories in Comoros;   and (iv) design of SPS framework in Sierra 
Leone.  A full list of PPGs benefiting LDCs was available in Annex 1 of the Note.   
35. He explained that the STDF had been providing pr oject funding to its beneficiaries.  As of 
31 May 2009, a total of 36 projects had been approved for STDF funding.  Of these projects, 14 had 
directly benefited LDCs.  While projects ra nged from US$160,000 to US$600,000, additional 
resources were mobilized for LDCs through bilatera l and multilateral sources.  The eligible entities 
for implementing STDF projects included public sector  entities with responsibility of SPS measures, 
private sector entities, regional or international orga nizations or NGOs with expertise in SPS area.   
36. He said that 40 per cent of STDF resources were devoted to the LDCs.  As of 31 May 2009, 
45 per cent of the STDF projects, by budget, benef ited the LDCs.  A wide range of projects was 
eligible for funding, which needed to meet two broa d objectives:  (i) enhance capacity to meet official 
or commercial SPS requirements;  and (ii) bette r protect human/animal/plant health against 
disease/pest hazards from border trade.  The STDF proj ects were implemented in line with the Paris 
Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.  The STDF woul d not fund projects whose main objective was to 
address environmental/labour standards or solely comp ly with a private standard;  buildings, vehicles, 
major equipment items (with the exception of in formation technology, laboratory equipment on a 
case–by–case basis);  and scientific research.   
37. Finally, he informed Members that the STDF was financing up to 90 per cent of the project 
costs in LDCs and other low income economies (OLIC).  LDCs were required to contribute 
10 per cent of any project funded by the STDF.  The low middle-income countries were eligible to 
receive 80 per cent of project costs, while STDF coul d finance up to 40 per cent of project costs in 
upper middle-income countries.  Ninety per cent of project costs was available for regional projects 
with one LDC or one OLIC, whereas the figure was 80 per cent for regional projects with no LDC or 
OLIC.  He also informed Members that the next meetings of the STDF would take place on:  (i) 25 and 26 June 2009;  and (ii) 3 and 4 D ecember 2009 (tentative).  The next deadline for 
submission of project proposals and those for PPGs was 10 September 2009. 
38. The representative of Tanzania,
 on behalf of the LDCs, said that the Note contained 
comprehensive information on the activities undertaken  under the STDF.  The strategic aims of the 
STDF laid down in the Note could help LDCs ga in and maintain market access for its products.  
Facilities such as the STDF could help LDCs meet th e international SPS standards.  The coordination 
among technical cooperation providers  and the dissemination of inform ation were important.  There 
was an encouraging trend in the delivery of PPGs.   The number of projects funded through bilateral 
and multilateral channels had also  been growing.  He expressed appreciation for the programme, 
which had been an invaluable facility to the LDCs.   WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
Page 10  
 
  39. The representative of Bangladesh
 associated himself with the statement made by the 
representative of Tanzania, on behalf of the LDCs.  The STDF was playing an important role, especially as a global programme to enhance devel oping countries' capacity to analyse and implement 
SPS-related standards.  The STDF was an integral part of Aid for Trade and could complement the 
EIF process.  He recalled that the LDCs' Ministeria l Declaration adopted in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in 
November 2008, had lauded the efforts undertaken by the STDF.  He requested the Secretariat to 
explain as to how his country could benefit from the programme, as Bangladesh was currently not a 
beneficiary of the programme.  He said that "STD F Project 255" on page 12 of the document had not 
elaborated on the names of the countries that were  benefiting in West Africa.  Similarly, "STDF 
Project 287" had not mentioned the names of the c ountries benefiting in Sub-Sa haran Africa.  For the 
purpose of transparency, it would be desirable to me ntion the names of all beneficiaries involved in 
the STDF projects.  He then pointed out that allocation of STDF projects by budget was 45 per cent for LDCs while other developing countries' share wa s 55 per cent.  There was scope to allocate more 
resources for the LDCs in general.  He also request ed the Secretariat to provide his delegation with 
the percentage of Asian LDCs benefiting under the STDF.  
40. The representative of Senegal
 said that the STDF was a concrete facility to enable LDCs to 
meet SPS standards, and hence maintain and increas e exports from the LDCs.  He expressed gratitude 
to the donors for their contributions to the programme.  He noted that private standards were not within the scope of the STDF.  His country had be en an exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables, and 
had encountered market access diffi culties in the EU in view of the prevalence of private standards 
like Euro Good Agricultural Practices (Euro GAP) sta ndards.  In fact, private standards were the 
predominant standards in many markets causing an impact on the volume of exports from Senegal.  
He looked forward to the "Donors' Workshop" to be held in Bamako, Mali, from 29 to 
30 September 2009, which would focus on the regiona l action plan to control fruit flies in West 
Africa.  The Workshop would be a timely one, sin ce his country was also experiencing difficulties 
with fruit flies, specially with regard to its mango exports.   
41. The representative of the European Communities
 welcomed the STDF Secretariat at the 
Sub-Committee.  She said that the EU had been a s ubstantial financial contributor to the STDF.  In 
addition, EU members were actively involved in the STDF Working Group.  Assistance relating to 
SPS standards featured prominently in the EU's bila teral cooperation programmes,  specially in Africa.  
She commended the STDF Secretariat for its good wo rk, notably in bringing the STDF within the 
Aid-for-Trade framework;  it had been active in th e reviews organized in the past few months in 
preparation for the Second Global Review of Aid fo r Trade to be held in July 2009.  She also 
commended the STDF Secretariat for strengthening its link with the EIF.  The provision of PPGs under the STDF could allow for a better follow-up of the priorities identified in the area of SPS in the 
DTIS Action Matrices.  Her delegation looked forw ard to continued cooperation with the STDF, both 
in Geneva as well as in the field.  
42. The representative of Japan
 informed Members that the Government of Japan had decided to 
contribute US$278,000 to the STDF.  This contribution reflected the continued commitment of the Japanese Government to the LDCs. 
43. The representative of Lesotho
 expressed gratitude to donors for their contributions to the 
STDF Facility.  He urged them to  continue supporting the programme  to enhance standards-related 
capacity in the LDCs.  He further hoped that th e Facility could be stre ngthened and expanded to 
service the ever increasing needs of LDCs.  He noted that SPS and other non-tariff measures were on 
the rise.  Therefore, the LDCs would require assi stance like the one being provided by the STDF to 
better integrate into the multilateral trading system.   
44. The representative of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) Secretariat  noted 
that Bangladesh was not benefiting from STDF projects.  This was due to the fact that no request had  WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
 Page 11 
 
 
  been made by Bangladesh to benefit from the Fa cility.  He would welcome a request from any 
competent Ministry of the Government of Banglades h, and would be ready to guide the delegation of 
Bangladesh to submit a proposal for STDF funding.  He said that the "STDF Project 255" in West Africa was a regional initiative.  It was a pilot initia tive benefiting eight countries in the West African 
region.  As regards the "STDF Project 287", he clarified that it was a project relating to an 
information newsletter for sub-Sa haran African countries concerning the control of fruit fly in the 
region.  He shared the point made by the repr esentative of Bangladesh that more funds should be 
allocated to the LDCs.  In this regard, he pointed  out that project proposals were approved based on 
their merit and quality.  He expressed the commitme nt of the STDF Secretariat to working with the 
LDCs.  He said that the STDF Secretariat would wo rk with the LDCs and donors to make sure that 
the number of projects benefiting LDCs would increase,  including the percentage of Asian LDCs in 
the programme.   
45. He noted the request from Senegal to fund proj ects related to private standards.  The 
Committee on SPS had been discussing this issue for a long time.  Often, it had been said that standards set by private entities went beyond the standards set by international standards setting 
bodies such as CODEX, OIE and IPPC.  He pointed  out that the Facility was designed to assist 
countries meeting international standards.  He reco gnized that there had been an increase of private 
standards in recent times, which developing count ries were finding difficult to comply with.  The 
STDF had been responding to these developments.  It  had funded projects relating to compliance with 
private standards such as the one in Mozambique on horticulture exports and in Guinea on pineapple 
exports.  He, however, clarified that the main preoccupation of the STDF was to assist its 
beneficiaries to comply with international standard s.  He thanked all donors that had contributed to 
the STDF.  In this regard, the contributions from Japan and the EC would further strengthen the STDF 
Trust Fund. 
46. The Chairman
 reiterated the importance of overcoming standards-related constraints by the 
LDCs so as to fully utilize market access opport unities offered to them.  The STDF was making a 
direct contribution in building capacity in the area of standards;  it represented a successful example 
of how WTO had been working with other organi zations to improve supply-side capacity in the 
LDCs.  He was pleased to note that a number of  LDCs was benefiting from this programme.  He 
hoped that donors would continue their support for th is important initiative.  He proposed that the 
Sub-Committee take note of the document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/45 as well as of the statements made.  
47. It was so agreed
. 
(II) Market Access for Least-Developed Countries 
- Market Access Issues for Least-Developed Countr ies in the Area of Trade in Services:  
Presentation by the International Trade Centre (ITC) 
48. The Chairman  recalled that the Sub-Committee, at it s meeting in March 2008, had agreed to 
invite international organizations which had undertaken service sector  studies in the LDCs.  Pursuant 
to that decision, the Sub-Committee heard a presen tation from UNCTAD last year.  The ITC had been 
invited to make a presentation at the current meeting,  on its work in the area of trade in services, 
especially relating to the LDCs.  He invited th e representative of the ITC to take the floor. 
49. The representative of the International Trade Centre (ITC)  outlined the organization's 
approach and focus of work in services trade, in particular for the LDCs.  The ITC had been working 
with the WTO and UN organizations in the area of  trade in services, focusing on practical projects on 
the ground.  Its partners in the field were the pr ivate sector, trade support institutions, as well as policy 
makers and government representatives.   WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
Page 12  
 
  50. She said that market access in trade in servi ces was a delicate topic, which was inherently 
more complex than market access for goods.  Market access in services represented negotiated 
commitments at the sub-sector level.  These commitments were often made with certain limitations.  For instance, the schedule of sp ecific commitments could be limited by the number of service 
suppliers or value of transactions allowed under some modes of supply.   
51. The key objective of ITC's intervention with be neficiaries was to assist them in attaining 
sustainable export growth.  ITC's emphasis in  the area of trade in services was on improving 
competitiveness in the countries and in helping c ountries identify their niche at the sector and 
sub-sector level.  One of the problems faced by LD Cs was that they were delinked from the "demand 
map", which demonstrated the need for them to fi nd a niche in services trade.  ITC's experience had 
suggested that for each trading country it was important to identify the niche or comparative 
advantage in its services trade at a sub-sector leve l, in terms of the production and supply of those 
services.  Once that work was done, countries could take  part in the negotiations on an informed basis, 
as well as promote themselves to attract  and meet international demand.  
52. She said that the focus of work in LDCs wa s somewhat different from activities pursued in 
other countries.  In its services-related work in  the LDCs, the ITC had been providing special 
attention to advocacy work, which was not necessar ily limited to awareness raising activities.  The 
ITC was also putting an emphasis on facilitative services – financial, infrastructural or 
telecommunication – which could play a significant role not only in the production of goods but also of other services in a domestic economy.  The researc h focus of ITC in the area of services was linked 
to market conditions.  For instance, it had been look ing at sector value chains in its work, and had not 
limited the analysis to supply chains.   
53. She continued by illustrating a number of projects in Asia and in Africa.  An ITC programme 
had been concluded in Cambodia, under which a comprehensive study had been undertaken, in 
cooperation with a domestic and a Washington-based research institute.  The study looked at the 
possible export capacity of Cambodia in the area of trade in services.  In order to obtain first-hand 
information, a survey was carried out involving a wide range of companies and entities involved with 
services trade.  Part of the ITC programme was tr aining and capacity development.  The study had 
thrown light on some key opportunities for Cam bodia in services exports.  Tourism was a case in 
point, although different elements of tourism needed  to be strengthened.  Cambodia had functional air 
services with which it could further develop tour ism services.  There were potentials in labour, 
business, professional and legal services.  One of th e key findings of the study was the need for 
supply chain strengthening.  Branding and positio ning of a country as a whole was found to be 
another important factor in promoting services exports.   
54. A six-phase technical programme had been implemented in 12 Francophone African 
countries, with the support of the EC in 2006-2007.  The LDCs included Benin, Burkina Faso, Central 
African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of th e Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and 
Togo.  Six phases had been developed to carry out the programme.  As a first step, an initial desk 
research on services capacity in these countries had b een undertaken.  Then, in-field work, including a 
survey had been carried out in cooperation with th e private sector.  Thereafter, local champions in 
each of these beneficiary countries had been identified to  take the work forward.  In the fourth phase, 
training had been imparted to government offici als and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).  The 
next phase of the programme, referred to as "Bridge s across Borders", was essentially an exercise of 
business matching and sub-sector strengthening.  At the last phase, all these different elements of field 
research had been fed into the development of ne gotiating positions for the services negotiations in 
the WTO.  She said that 12 Francophone beneficiar y LDCs had joined the ITC service export network 
of 40 to 50 countries around the world specializing in services trade.    WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
 Page 13 
 
 
  55. She went on to outline some of the constr aints identified through ITC's work.  These 
included:  (i) lack of recognition of qualifications to  take advantage of professional services;  (ii) need 
to develop a skill base in discrete sub-sectors, incl uding the need to enhance vocational training;  
(iii) lack of coordinated sub-sector peak bodies to consolidate and lobby for sub-sector interests;  
(iv) lack of data (in-field research) to assess comp arative advantage in the LDCs;  (v) constraints on 
temporary movement of natural pers ons;  and (vi) lack of facilitative/infrastructure services.  She then 
highlighted some of the trends observed in the LDCs.  The LDCs had a comparative advantage in 
labour-intensive services.  In this regard, she point ed out that labour was also an input into tourism 
services.  Therefore, the benefits to the LDCs were not necessarily only linked to mode 4 under 
GATS.  She underlined the importance of infrastruct ural sub-sector services as key inputs to other 
goods and services.  She also drew Members' attenti on to the merits of mode 3 which could bring in 
much needed capital and generate employment in the LDCs.  She added that the construction sector 
around the globe was also becoming an important source of job creation, via partnership and 
outsourcing from developing countries.   
56. In conclusion, she made a number of suggestions  that the LDCs could consider in order to 
benefit from services trade.  First, she underlined th e importance of robust in-field research to identify 
the relative strength or comparative advantage of  the production in, and export of services from the 
LDCs.  Second, she emphasized the importance of sk ill development, including vocational training, to 
respond to the needs of the market.  Third, she advocated that the LDCs undertake a GATS 
preparatory analysis at a sub-sector level, to id entify and consolidate their negotiating position.  
Fourth, she stressed on the need for LDCs to identif y alternative market access approaches.  In this 
regard, ITC looked at the business models for each sub-sector under GATS.  Under that modelling, 
key trends in the services sub-sectors around the wo rld were being identified so that different 
countries including LDCs could see how they could fit into the international supply chain.  Fifth, she 
underlined the importance of targeted marketing to penetrate the global services markets.  Finally, she 
invited Members to contact the ITC (services@intracen .org) for further information on ITC's work in 
the area of trade in services.   
57. The representative of Tanzania , on behalf of the LDCs, thanked the representative of the ITC 
for her informative presentation.  He said that th e LDC Group was working on a mechanism to secure 
effective market access and to enhance participation in services trade.  In th is regard, he underlined 
the importance of adopting a waiver from Article II. 1 of the GATS (services waiver), currently being 
negotiated under the Special Session of Council for Trade in Services, which would allow Members 
to provide preferential market access for LDCs ' services and service suppliers.  LDCs needed 
effective market access in sectors and modes of supply of export interest to them, in particular modes 
1 and 4 under GATS.  The LDC Group had been work ing closely with the delegation of Norway in 
developing a proposal on a services waiver.  Ot her than LDCs, a number of Members namely 
Australia, India and the United States were part of the consultation process.  He looked forward to the 
establishment of the services waiver as soon as possibl e.  Once a waiver was in place, the services of 
organizations such as the ITC would be needed to  further strengthen services trade capacity in LDCs 
as well as to effectively participate in the services negotiations.   
58. The representative of Rwanda  associated himself with the statement made by the 
representative of Tanzania, on behalf of the LDCs.  He reiterated the need for a services waiver to 
enable Members to provide preferential treatme nt to LDCs' services and service suppliers.  That 
would also help increase the participation of LDCs  in services trade.  He called upon Members to 
adopt the services waiver as soon as possible.  At the same time, he underlined the need for 
strengthening trade capacity in the LDCs to take advantage of the market access opportunities offered 
to them.  He hoped that the international community  would come forward to help LDCs benefit from 
services trade, including making efforts to strengthen services sectors and sub-sectors in the LDCs.  In 
this regard, the support by the ITC and ot her organizations would be critical.   WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
Page 14  
 
  59. The representative of Bangladesh
 said that his country had been a beneficiary of the ITC's 
programme in the area of trade in services, in particular the one relating to SMEs.  He thanked the ITC and donors for their support given to his country 's programme.  He said that services were the 
fastest growing component of GDP growth in many  LDCs.  Considering the contribution of services 
to GDP, which was more than 50 per cent on averag e in the LDCs, enhanced market access for LDCs' 
services and service suppliers could greatly contribute  to their integration into the global market.  
Given that LDCs were not on the "demand map" in services trade, it was imperative to conclude the 
work on a waiver which could allow Members to gr ant preferential and effective market access for 
LDCs' services and service suppliers.  He pointed out that the LDCs had abundant human resources, 
who could provide services under mode 4 of GATS.   He requested Members to respond to the 
collective request made by the LDC Group on mode 4 in the services negotiations.  He underlined the 
importance of development-oriented domestic regulation so as not to nullify market access 
opportunities in services trade.  At the same time, LDCs needed to build up supply-side capacity, 
including through assistance from organizations such as the ITC.  He recognized the potentials of ITC 
in helping LDCs understand the bene fits and challenges of the services negotiations in the DDA, as 
well as in evaluating strengths and weaknesses of service sectors of LDCs.   
60. The representative of China
 expressed appreciation for the informative presentation made by 
the ITC, which was helpful not only to the LDCs but also to other Members.  He requested the ITC to 
provide his delegation with a copy of the powerpoi nt presentation made at the meeting, which would 
allow him to share the presentation with his collea gues dealing with services.  He shared the point 
raised by the LDC Coordinator concerning the necess ity to grant a waiver for LDCs in the area of 
trade in services.   
61. The representative of the International Trade Centre (ITC)  thanked Members for their 
comments.  In the context of services trade, the ITC had been working primarily with the private 
sector and SMEs.  She emphasized the importance of diversification of produ ction and supply of the 
export base in the LDCs, including in the area of services, to benefit from international trade.  ITC's 
work had found that the LDCs had a comparative ad vantage in a number of services sub-sectors.  She 
underscored the need for the LDCs to work towards diversification of modes of supply.  In this 
regard, she encouraged the LDCs to tap the opportu nities available not only in mode 4 but also in 
other modes of supply.  She took the opportunity to mention that a number of Chinese representatives 
had participated in the ITC services networks a nd had undergone training in the organization.  She 
looked forward to continued cooperation with China.   
62. The Chairman  said that the presentation by the ITC had improved Members' understanding on 
its work in the area of trade in services, specifica lly in favour of the LDCs.  The importance of the 
services sectors had been growing in the LDC economi es.  He hoped that the international community 
would assist the LDCs to improve their services trade capacity.  At the same time, he hoped that the DDA negotiations would bring opportunities fo r LDCs' services and service suppliers.  The 
Sub-Committee would remain engaged to follow the deve lopments in trade in services, in particular 
those of relevance to the LDCs.  He proposed that  the Sub-Committee take note of the presentation 
made by the ITC as well as of the statements made. 
63. It was so agreed
. 
C. OTHER BUSINESS  
64. The Chairman  congratulated the Secretariat for organizing the "Dialogue with Acceding 
LDCs" held on 28 May.  It had provided a useful forum for an open exchange of views between 
Members and acceding LDCs.  The Dialogue built on  the discussions in the Sub-Committee held in 
March 2009.  There had been useful suggestions within the framework of  the LDCs' Accession 
Guidelines (WT/L/508).  He had briefly attended th e Dialogue and had reiterated his commitment to  WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
 Page 15 
 
 
  LDCs' accessions.  He said that a report on the Dialogue would be presented by the Secretariat at the 
next meeting of the Sub-Committee.  He would c ontinue to accord particular attention to LDCs' 
accessions in the Sub-Committee, and looked forw ard to sustaining and building on the ideas 
generated at the Dialogue. 
65. The representative of Yemen  said that the Dialogue was an initial step in accelerating the 
accession of LDCs including the implementation of the LDCs' Accession Guidelines.  The Dialogue 
had been held in the margins of the "Geneva Week" (25 to 29 May 2009) which had enabled the 
non-resident acceding LDCs to take part in it.  It had facilitated an exchange of views between 
Members and acceding LDCs.  He underlined the n eed for the continuation of such dialogues to 
facilitate the accession of LDCs to the WTO.  He informed Members that the LDC Coordinator had 
written a letter to the Chairman of the General Counc il as well as to the Director-General of the WTO, 
suggesting some follow-up measures from the Dialogue.  He hoped that the suggestions made in that 
letter would be implemented in due  course.  He looked forward to the Secretariat's report on the 
Dialogue at the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.   
66. The representative of Tanzania , on behalf of the LDCs, expressed appreciation for the 
Chairman's participation in the Dialogue, as well as for his strong statement in support of LDCs' 
accessions.   
67. The representative of the United States  recalled the General Council Decision on accession of 
LDCs adopted in 2002 (WT/L/508), which encourag ed the Sub-Committee on LDCs to review the 
accession of LDCs.  Therefore, the Sub-Committee,  rather than any ad hoc Dialogue, was the 
appropriate forum for discussion on LDC accessions .  She looked forward to continuing discussion on 
this important subject within the Sub-Committee.  She noted that the Secretariat would make a 
presentation on the Dialogue at the next meeting of  the Sub-Committee in October 2009.  In this 
regard, it was the understanding of  her delegation that the report on the Dialogue would be a factual 
presentation on the discussion that took place during the Dialogue.   
68. The representative of Japan  associated himself with the statement made by the representative 
of the United States.   
69. The representative of th e European Communities  associated herself with the statements made 
by the representatives of the United States and Japan. 
70. The Sub-Committee  took note of the statement by the Chairman on the "Dialogue with 
Acceding LDCs", held on 28 May 2009, as well as of the statements made. 
71. The Chairman  invited the LDC Coordinator to introdu ce the letter that had been addressed to 
him as Chairman of the Sub-Committee to facilita te a discussion on the ongoing food crisis.   
72. The representative of Tanzania , on behalf of the LDCs, said that  he had written a letter to the 
Chairman of the Sub-Committee to consider an item concerning the ongoing food crisis.  The LDCs 
were hard hit by the food crisis.  Their woes were fu rther fuelled by the global economic crisis of the 
past one year.  The LDCs were also facing challeng es with regard to global climate change.  All these 
developments had had an adverse impact on the developing countries, in particular LDCs.   
73. He stressed that the ongoing food crisis needed the constant review of the entire Membership 
of the WTO.  The crisis had challenged the efforts to attain food sovereignty.  It was also constraining 
the development endeavours of LDCs .  He said that the causes of the present food crisis were external 
to the WTO;  yet they were impacting on the inte rnal policies of the LDCs.  He believed that a 
discussion on the food crisis could help review the entire gamut of the above factors and could 
contribute to tackle the crisis.  He recalled the request made by Ambassador Maruping (Lesotho) at WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
Page 16  
 
  the previous meeting of the Sub-Committee to inv ite the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food 
to the Sub-Committee to present his report on his Mi ssion to the WTO.  Building on that request, he 
suggested that the Sub-Committe e invite the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to its 
October 2009 meeting.   
74. The representative of Yemen
 considered the request from the LDC Coordinator important.  
Availability of food was critical for the survival of  millions in the LDCs.  It was important to learn 
from the lessons of the ongoing food crisis.  Yeme n was one of the countries hard hit by the food 
crisis which had led to an estimated 6 per cent increas e in poverty in his country.  He subscribed to the 
suggestion made by LDC Coordinator to examine the issue of the food crisis at the next meeting of 
the Sub-Committee. 
75. The representative of th e European Communities  noted that many developing countries, other 
than the LDCs, had also been hard hit by the food cris is since last year.  Her delegation could continue 
to support the work concerning the food crisis.  As regards the specific suggestion made by the LDC 
Coordinator, she understood that preparations were  underway to afford the UN Special Rapporteur on 
the right to food to present his report at an informal  meeting to be organized in the margins of the 
regular meeting of the Committee on Agriculture in Ju ly 2009.  That informal meeting would be open 
to all WTO Members, and would be an appropria te forum to discuss the report of the Special 
Rapporteur on the right to food.   
76. The representative of Bangladesh  endorsed the request made by the LDC Coordinator.  Since 
his country was an LDC, as well as one of th e Net Food-Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs), 
it had a stake in this issue.   
77. The representative of Lesotho  reiterated the need to address the food crisis, especially in view 
of the precarious situation faced by the LDCs, whic h mostly were also NFIDCs.  The financial and 
economic crisis had led to social and political te nsions around the world.  It had overshadowed the 
food crisis, specially in attracting adequate attenti on from the international community.  He welcomed 
the letter of the LDC Coordinator suggesting continue d consideration of the ongoing food crisis at the 
Sub-Committee, including an invitation to the Special Ra pporteur on the right to food.  He argued that 
the Special Rapporteur would not indulge in human ri ghts discussions in the WTO;  rather he would 
focus on trade-related aspects of the food crisis.  The Special Rapporteur, Mr. Oliver de Schutter, had 
a good knowledge in this area and could enrich the debate in the WTO.  He noted from the 
interventions by Members that the Sub-Committee w as the right forum to continue discussions on 
LDC accessions.  Similarly, the Sub-Committee w as also the right forum to discuss issues of 
importance to the LDCs including the issue of the food crisis.   
78. The representative of the United States  supported the statement made by the representative of 
the European Communities.  She no ted the request made by the LDCs  regarding an invitation to the 
Special Rapporteur on the right to food.  Her de legation could not support the idea of inviting the 
Special Rapporteur to make a presentation at the Su b-Committee in October 2009.  The work of the 
Special Rapporteur was being addressed in the UN Human Rights Council.  It was also her 
understanding that the Special Rapporteur would partic ipate in an information session to be organized 
in the margins of the regular meeting of the Committee on Agriculture in July 2009.  All WTO 
Members would be able to participate in that session.  She underlined the need to avoid duplication of 
work at the Sub-Committee.   
79. The representative of Canada  endorsed the statements made  by the representatives of the 
European Communities and the United States.  Canada  welcomed the work of the Special Rapporteur 
on the right to food, which would be useful for those involved with trade policy issues in Geneva.  She acknowledged the request from the LDC Group to invite the Special Rapporteur at the Sub-Committee.  There were differe nces of views in this regard.  Her delegation could support the  WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
 Page 17 
 
 
  idea of offering the Special Rapporteur on the right to food an opportunity to present his report at the 
WTO through an open forum.  She was pleased to he ar that such a forum had already been organized 
in July 2009, in the margins of the regular  meeting of the Committee on Agriculture.   
80. The representative of China  welcomed the letter by the LDC Coordinator addressed to the 
Chairman.  He supported the proposal made by the LD Cs to discuss the food cr isis issue at the next 
meeting of the Sub-Committee.  The LDCs were the hardest hit by the food crisis, and were least 
equipped to deal with the crisis.  The discussion on the food crisis was relevant to the work of the 
Sub-Committee. 
81. The representative of Nepal  associated himself with the statement made by the LDC 
Coordinator.  Nepal was one of the NFIDCs.  It  had been suffering from the high prices of food and 
food products.  In addition, his c ountry had experienced a severe winter drought recently.  As a result, 
food production had gone down posing a severe challe nge to his Government in the coming years.  
The issue of the food crisis was a pertinen t one, which would merit a discussion at the 
Sub-Committee. 
82. The Chairman  said that the letter that he had received from the LDC Coordinator had two 
aspects.  The first aspect concerned the continuation of the work on the food crisis already undertaken 
in the Sub-Committee, in order to enable the LD Cs better understand the crisis as well as to identify 
ways to address the crisis.  He said that many LD C exporters of agricultural and food products were 
experiencing a deficit in their trade balance.  That was why, in the beginning of 2008, he had requested the Secretariat to prepare a brief note to  initiate a discussion in the Sub-Committee on this 
subject.  He would include an item on the food crisis  at the next meeting of the Sub-Committee, and 
would explore with the Secretariat how best to c onsider the issue at the Sub-Committee.  The second 
aspect of the letter from the LDC Coordinator was re lated to the invitation of the Special Rapporteur 
on the right to food.  He noted that three delega tions were not agreeable to inviting the Special 
Rapporteur to make a presentation at the Sub-Comm ittee.  He understood that an initiative had been 
taken to allow the Special Rapporteur to speak at the WTO.  He noted the desire of the delegations to 
listen to the presentation from the Special Rapporteur;  there were only differences of views regarding 
the format and procedure in which such a presenta tion should be organized.  He would remain in 
touch with Members on this issue.  In conclusion, he informed Members that he would be one of the 
panelists in an UNCTAD's Trade and Developmen t Board (TDB) Executive Session, entitled "Food 
Security in Africa: lessons from the recent global crisis" to be held on 29 June 2009.  The event 
should be of interest to delegations c oncerned with the ongoing food crisis.   
83. The Sub-Committee
 took note of the statements made.  
84. The Chairman  invited the Secretariat to provide the Sub-Committee with a report on the 
consultations it had had with the LD Cs regarding the preparation of the biennial technical assistance 
Plan (2010-2011).  
85. The representative of the Secret ariat (Institute for Training a nd Technical Cooperation, ITTC)  
said that it had undertaken consultations w ith the LDC Group on 29 May 2009.  Follow-up 
consultations with the LDCs were also being plan ned.  The objective of these consultations was to 
seek views and inputs from the LDCs in the prepara tion of the next biennial technical assistance Plan 
(2010-2011).  The LDCs were the largest beneficiar ies of WTO's technical assistance (TA).  In 2008, 
LDCs were recipients of 40 per cent of all trade-related technical assistance undertaken by the Secretariat.  In keeping with the principle of th e demand driven nature of TA, the Secretariat had 
deemed it appropriate to start the consultations w ith the LDC Group.  The Secretariat had also taken 
the opportunity to explain to the LDC Group the new TA  strategy that would be introduced for the TA 
activities in 2010-2011.  For instance, participants  attending advance courses in Geneva would be 
expected to have completed regional trade policy cour ses.  He said that, during the consultations with WT/COMTD/LDC/M/53 
Page 18  
 
  the LDCs, a number of concerns were highlighted by  them.  The issue of local costs in organizing 
national activities was raised by a number of LDCs.  The LDCs were entitled to request three national 
activities per year;  but many of them were not ma king full use of these entitlements.  The LDCs had 
requested the Secretariat to cover the local expen ses relating to these national activities  He said that 
the Secretariat had been looking into the request from the LDCs, but no definitive decision had been 
taken in that regard.  A number of LDCs had pointed out the limitations of strict application of prior 
e-training requirements for admission to the trade po licy courses, and had requested flexibility in this 
regard.  He clarified that the Secretariat, initiall y, would only put the prior e-training requirement for 
20 per cent of WTO's TA activities, taking into account the special problems of LDCs.  He said that the LDCs had also underscored the need to involve  a greater number of local experts in WTO's TA 
activities.  He invited the LDCs to submit to the Se cretariat the activities they wished to see included 
in the TA Plan (2010-2011).   
86. The Sub-Committee
 took note of the statement made by the representative of ITTC. 
87. The Chairman  informed Members that the next meeting of the Sub-Committee was 
tentatively scheduled for October 2009.  The exact  date would be communicated in due course. 
88. The meeting was adjourned . 
 
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